Checking Out the Books of God

We’re hoping to get things going again soon. So check us out again soon, please.

The “library of God” is, of course, the books of God that make up the Old and New Testaments of the Bible. The purpose of this site is to help us discover or rediscover those books by learning to read verses of scripture (from the Bible) within their book-level contexts; that is, reading each individual book of the Bible as an amazing, self-contained encounter with God—as it was originally intended. We’ll do this . . .

by experiencing the books of God together in online Bible studies and small groups and privately by participating in the Bible Book of the Month Club.

by interacting with each other about reading the Bible and how to read the Bible (sometimes referring to and using the book Inkblotitis: Christianity’s Dangerous Disease).

We started our first online Bible study in September of 2013, with an 8-week study of the book of Ephesians. (Some results of that study are available on the Ephesians page.) We’ll continue, starting in February, with Paul’s letters to the Thessalonians. Using some of the principles laid out in Rediscovering the Books of God, each week we post a Study Guide (a “road map”) with steps and questions to guide your reading and study for that week. Rather than trying to have an online meeting each week, we’re adding an Audio Guide as a companion to the (written) Study Guide. This “podcast” will allow everyone to listen to a lecture/discussion (approximately 30 minutes) that helps to answer some of the questions raised in the Study Guides. We’ll then come together a time or two for an online chat (Q & A) session to talk about our experiences with the text. The Study/Audio Guides can also be used in small group Bible studies to guide the group through the text.

Learning how to read and hear verses of scripture within their book-level contexts as part of the primary purposes of a book of God is one of our shared goals. Experiencing how those words from God can impact and change our lives is even more important.

The Thessalonians study is currently in session. To sign up for the Thessalonians small group, just send us an email from the Contact screen, and you’ll be signed up—that’s all it takes. Or, you can use the Study/Audio Guides at any time–without officially signing up. The following link will take you to the Contact screen:

So let me ask you, what are the major points and purposes of the Bible books of 1 and 2 Thessalonians? And what impact should they have on your life? Do you know? Would you like to know? If so, then I hope you’ll plan on joining us for our exploration of Paul’s letters to the Thessalonian Christians. Together, we will check out this book of God from the library of God.